RULES

Photography Contest NATURE AND HUMANS Third Edition (2025)

Contest Rules

The DESEA Foundation www.fundaciondesea.es (abbreviated name of Sustainable Development Foundation ADF, registered in the State Foundation Registry of the Ministry of Justice under number 2,453, whose objectives have been declared by the Spanish State to be of general interest), hereinafter the Foundation, or the Organizing Entity, announces the third edition of the Photography Contest “Nature and Humans,” governed by these rules.

The “Nature and Humans” Photography Contest is organized into SIX special categories, SIX thematic categories, and THREE additional prizes (youth, children, and popular vote).

The total amount of prizes exceeds €15,768 (fifteen thousand seven hundred sixty-eight euros), with €8,800 (eight thousand eight hundred euros) in cash prizes. It is therefore one of the most generous contests in the Spanish and international circuit.

Additionally, it features a jury composed of photographers of great international prestige. In Rule 2 the categories are detailed and in Rule 4 the prizes and sponsors are detailed.

In this 2025 edition we continue to propose four special categories, each awarded €2,000 in cash (a total of €8,000 in cash among the four), contributed by the Foundation. Three of them are photojournalism and conservation categories (called “Conservation Photography”) and the fourth is the category called “Nature Told by Women Photographers.” There are two other special categories, called “The Beauty of the Planet” and “The Beauty of Spain” which are sponsored by WildWatchingSpain.

The six thematic categories (Mammals, Birds, Oceans, Other Animals, Landscape, and Creative) are sponsored by SONY and OM SYSTEM – world-leading brands in photographic equipment –, by Fotografiarte – one of the best distributors of photographic equipment in Spain –, and by the Foundation.

Likewise, we maintain a prize for young photographers (under 18 years), and a prize by popular vote. We include, as a novelty this year, a prize for child photographers (under 15 years).

Finally, once again we count on the generous collaboration of PANGEA (the largest travel store in Spain), and of FONAMAD (Association of Nature Photographers of Madrid) and of AFONA (ARGENTINE ASSOCIATION OF NATURE PHOTOGRAPHERS).

RULE 1 – PARTICIPANTS
The NATURE AND HUMANS Photography Contest is open to both amateur and professional photographers of any nationality.
Each participant must have a valid email address.

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY, BY AND FOR CONSERVATION
Jacques Cousteau said that “humans only protect what they love and only love what they know.” At the Foundation we want to get all people — especially the new generations — to commit throughout their lives to the conservation of nature. And we think the best way to achieve this is to show the beauty of nature, using the power of the universal language of photography.

For all these reasons, with this NATURE AND HUMANS Photography Contest we seek images that are:

• spectacularly beautiful, inspiring in the viewer the need to conserve the wonderful nature that surrounds us,
• that contribute to environmental education and awareness, and
• that help us reflect on the relationship of people with nature.

Below, as examples (the list is not exhaustive), we mention some content that would make an image inspire the idea of conservation:

• endangered species, especially if classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.
  
• protected areas, not only the most iconic on the planet (such as the Arctic, the Amazon…), but also protected natural areas of Spain, especially those under greater pressure (such as Doñana, Daimiel, the Ebro Delta, etc).
• especially motivating scenes of love for nature.
  
• examples of the relationship between humans and nature, both positive and negative.

Participants must, in the description of the photographs submitted, explain what they see in their images that inspires and helps nature conservation.

RULE 2 – THEME AND CATEGORIES

The theme of the contest will be nature photography in all its areas and with the restrictions in these rules. The contest organization reserves the right to reject the registration of any image that does not comply with these rules or that is considered outside the theme of the contest.

Below, we list the categories of the contest, starting with the six special categories, followed by the six thematic categories, and the two additional categories, Youth and Popular Vote. More details about prizes per category can be found in Rule 4.

01 – Special Category “Conservation Photography – Thematic Series”
This category awards a series of six images, with a common conservation theme. The winning series will receive a cash prize of €1,500, and the honorary mention series (second place) will receive a cash prize of €500.

02 – Special Category “Conservation Photography – Single Image”
This category awards a single image with a clear conservation message. The winning image will receive a cash prize of €1,500, and the honorary mention image (second place) will receive a cash prize of €500.

03 – Special Category “Conservation Photography – Spain”
This category awards a single image with a clear conservation message, taken in Spain. The winning image will receive a cash prize of €1,500, and the honorary mention image (second place) will receive a cash prize of €500.
The three special categories “Conservation Photography” seek images that investigate the relationship between the natural environment and us, human beings. Images can be challenging, uplifting, provocative or revealing, and must illustrate how our attitudes, decisions and actions impact the natural environment, positively or negatively. Originality will be especially valued, and images must help reinforce environmental awareness. The author must explain the fact/object of denunciation in detail, providing concrete data. Judges will have access to this information during the selection phases.
Likewise, the three special “Conservation Photography” categories are the only ones that accept images of non-free or non-wild animals: animals in rehabilitation centers, or in situations of economic exploitation (factory farms, circuses, slaughterhouses, etc.), or similar. They are also the only ones that accept images of dead animals (species trafficking, poaching, articles made with animal parts, etc.). Although these three special categories, because of their denunciation content, may lend themselves to especially harsh or graphic images, the Organizing Entity wishes to clarify that an excessively harsh image will not necessarily be considered more effective in the field of conservation.

04 – Special Category “Nature Told by Women”
This category awards a story about Nature, told by a female photographer, with a series of six images. The winning story will receive a cash prize of €1,500. The honorary mention story (second place) will receive a cash prize of €500.

05 – Special Category “The Beauty of the Planet”
A single image showing the amazing beauty and fragility of animal species on our planet. Images presented in this category must have been taken on any nature photography trip outside Spain organized by Wildwatching Spain, after January 1, 2021.

06 – Special Category “The Beauty of Spain”
A single image showing the amazing beauty and fragility of animal species in Spain. Images presented in this category must have been taken in any “hide” or observation outing organized in Spain by Wildwatching Spain, after January 1, 2021.

07 – Mammals Category
Wild and free mammals, at any stage of their life, anywhere on the planet.

08 – Birds Category
Wild and free birds, at any stage of their life, anywhere on the planet. Images of nests will not be accepted under any circumstances.

09 – Oceans Category
Underwater images taken in the seas and oceans of our planet. The animal species portrayed must, of course, be wild and free.

10 – Other Animals Category
Images of any animal not included in the categories Mammals, Birds, and Oceans, wild and free, at any stage of their life, anywhere on the planet.

11 – Landscape Category
Images of natural paradises still found on our planet.

12 – Creative Category
In this category, images must propose new visions of the natural world that go beyond the obvious. Using a visual language focused on colors, shapes, and textures, with great prominence of abstraction and originality, the goal of this category is to seduce, surprise, awaken emotions, and help the viewer surrender to contemplation.

13 – Special Prize Young Photographer
 In this category, we expect nature images, without limitation of theme or content (except, logically, respecting the contest’s ethical code), taken by persons who have not reached 18 years old by June 1, 2025.

14 – Special Prize Child Photographer
In this category, we expect nature images, without limitation of theme or content (except, logically, respecting the contest’s ethical code), taken by persons who have not reached 15 years old by June 1, 2025.

15 – Special Prize Popular Vote
The Jury will select a series of images to be submitted to a popular vote, which will be held through the contest’s website or Instagram page.
During the evaluation process, and only with the express agreement of the Jury, the Organizing Entity reserves the right to move an image from one category to another.

RULE 3 – ETHICAL CODE
The practice of any type of photography requires a solid ethical code, and in the case of nature photography, this requirement is even more important. It is essential to avoid interfering with the behavior of animals, and of course even more to avoid any type of disturbance, stress, or suffering. Animal welfare always takes priority over obtaining a photograph.

This is especially important in the case of the three special “Conservation Photography” categories, since in these categories—and in no others—the contest accepts images of domestic or farm animals, or animals whose freedom has been manipulated in some way. In these cases, the possibility of disturbing the animal is increased. Therefore, any image for which the Jury can reasonably consider that the welfare of the animal has been compromised will be disqualified.

Additionally, it is strictly forbidden to submit images obtained using live bait, a practice that the Organizing Entity considers highly unethical and discourages anyone interested in photography and nature from using.

Another essential aspect of the ethical code in nature photography is authenticity and truthfulness. Moderate editing of images is allowed, but images that distort nature in a misleading way are not allowed, except in the “Creative” category. If an obvious intention to deceive is detected from a participant, the Organizing Entity reserves the right to disqualify all images submitted by that person.

The contest recommends the Ethical Decalogue of Aefona, which can be consulted on the contest website (www.natureandhumans.com). Likewise, we recommend reading resources from the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP) such as “From Wild to Captive: A Call for Ethics in Modern Nature Photography” https://www.conservationphotographers.org/ethics-nature-photography and “A light touch: Reflections on using additional light when photographing wildlife” (https://www.conservationphotographers.org/u/ilcp/post/ilcp-april-15).

RULE 4 – PRIZES AND SPONSORS
In total, the contest offers more than €15,768 (fifteen thousand seven hundred sixty-eight euros), of which €8,800 (eight thousand eight hundred euros) are cash prizes, with the following detail:

• Special Category 01 “Conservation Photography – thematic series”
  The winning series will receive a cash prize of €1,500 (one thousand five hundred euros), and the honorary mention (the second classified series) will receive a cash prize of €500 (five hundred euros), both offered by the Foundation.
• Special Category 02 “Conservation Photography – single image” The winning image will receive a cash prize of €1,500 (one thousand five hundred euros), and the honorary mention (the second classified image) will receive a cash prize of €500 (five hundred euros), both offered by the Foundation.
• Special Category 03 “Conservation Photography – Spain”
  The winning image will receive a cash prize of €1,500 (one thousand five hundred euros), and the honorary mention (the second classified image) will receive a cash prize of €500 (five hundred euros), both offered by the Foundation.
• Special Category 04 “Nature Told by Women”
  The winning story will receive a cash prize of €1,500 (one thousand five hundred euros), offered by the Foundation. The honorary mention (the second classified story) will receive a cash prize of €500 (five hundred euros), offered by the Foundation.
   
• Special Category 05 “The Beauty of the Planet.”
  The winning image will be awarded a €1,000 (one thousand euros) voucher, with no expiration date, redeemable on the booking of any international trips offered by Wildwatching Spain.
   
• Special Category 06 “The Beauty of Spain.”
  The winning image will be awarded a €500 (five hundred euros) voucher, with no expiration date, redeemable on the booking of any nature photography hides offered by Wildwatching Spain.
   
• Thematic Category 07 – Mammals.
  The winning image will be awarded SONY photographic equipment, offered by SONY Spain. The exact equipment to be delivered is to be confirmed but its RRP will exceed €1,700 in any case.
   
• Thematic Category 08 – Birds.
  The winning image will be awarded a €500 (five hundred euros) voucher redeemable for photographic equipment purchases at Fotografiarte, one of the best specialist distributors in photography in Spain.
   
• Thematic Category 09 – Oceans.
  The winning image will be awarded an OM-5 Mark II camera with 12-45 mm lens, offered by OM SYSTEM. The recommended retail price of this equipment is €1,549.
   
• Thematic Category 10 – Other Animals.
  The winning image will be awarded €300 (three hundred euros) in cash, offered by the Foundation.
• Thematic Category 11 – Landscape.
  The winning image will be awarded a compact camera waterproof up to 15 meters without a housing, offered by OM SYSTEM. The recommended retail price of this equipment is €519.
• Thematic Category 12 – Creative.
  The winning image will be awarded a €300 (three hundred euros) voucher redeemable for photographic equipment purchases at FotoRuanoPro (one of the best specialist distributors in photography in Spain), and €150 (one hundred fifty euros) in cash, offered by the Foundation.
   
• Special Prize 13 – Youth.
  The winning image will be awarded a set of photography books valued at €300 (three hundred euros), and up to €100 (one hundred euros) in cash to cover shipping costs, all offered by the Foundation.
   
• Special Prize 14 – Child.
  The winning image will be awarded a set of photography books valued at €300 (three hundred euros), and up to €100 (one hundred euros) in cash to cover shipping costs, all offered by the Foundation.
   
• Special Prize 15 – Popular Vote.
  The winning image will be awarded a gift card offered by Pangea valued at €300 (three hundred euros), and €150 (one hundred fifty euros) in cash, offered by the Foundation.

Additionally, FONAMAD will offer free membership during 2025 to all prize winners (with winning image, honorary mention, or finalist), or a gift of similar value if the prize winners are already FONAMAD members.

HONORABLE MENTIONS. An honorary mention (the series or image that placed second) will be named in each of the fourteen categories.
The authors of the winning images and honorable mentions may request their corresponding digital diploma from the Organizing Entity.
FINALISTS. At least two finalists will be named in each of the fourteen categories.

The winning images, honorable mentions, and finalists of all categories will be published in a gallery on the contest website (www.natureandhumans.com) and in the contest’s printed catalog. Additionally, the Organizing Entity and other sponsors and collaborators may do the same on their websites and social media (see Rule 13 on Copyright). Each prize will be awarded directly by each sponsor. The Organizing Entity will put prize winners in contact with sponsors to arrange delivery of each prize. The prize amounts will be subject to withholding according to current tax regulations in Spain.

RULE 5 – REGISTRATION AND DEADLINE
Registration and submission of photographs is done exclusively online through the contest website (www.natureandhumans.com). The deadline for submissions is October 17, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. (Spanish peninsular time).
Any submission received after this deadline will be automatically rejected by the contest’s online platform.

RULE 6 – TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Participants must send their photos digitally via the website. Images must be in JPEG format, RGB color profile, with a maximum size of 6 MB and minimum dimensions of 4,000 pixels on the longest side.
Each photograph must be accompanied by a title, description, place and date the photo was taken, and the category in which it is presented.
In the special category “Conservation Photography – Thematic Series,” the six images submitted must be linked by a clear thematic connection. The six images must be submitted as a single series, with a single title and a description of the series as a whole.

RULE 7 – SELECTION PROCESS AND JURY
The jury will be composed of experts in nature photography and conservation, appointed by the Organizing Entity.
The selection process will have several phases: initial filtering of images, selection of finalists, and final selection of winners and honorary mentions.
The jury’s decisions will be final and unquestionable.

RULE 8 – COPYRIGHT AND IMAGE USE
Participants must be the sole authors and owners of the images submitted.
Participants authorize the Organizing Entity and sponsors to use the submitted images for promotional purposes related to the contest and its editions, with proper credit to the author.
Images may not be used for commercial purposes by third parties without explicit authorization from the authors.

RULE 9 – OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
The Organizing Entity reserves the right to modify the contest rules, extend deadlines, or cancel the contest if circumstances so require.
By participating, contestants accept all the contest rules.
Any situation not covered by these rules will be resolved by the Organizing Entity and the jury.

RULE 10 – PARTICIPATION FEES
Participation in the contest is free of charge. No fee is required for submitting photographs.

RULE 11 – CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA PROTECTION
The personal data collected from participants will be used exclusively for managing the contest and will be treated according to the current data protection regulations.
The Foundation guarantees the confidentiality and security of personal data provided by participants.

RULE 12 – ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS AND AWARDS CEREMONY
The results will be announced on the contest website (www.natureandhumans.com) and via the official social media accounts.
An awards ceremony will be held on a date and place to be announced by the Foundation. Attendance to the awards ceremony is not mandatory to receive a prize.
The Foundation reserves the right to cancel or postpone the awards ceremony due to force majeure or sanitary reasons.

RULE 13 – RESPONSIBILITY AND COMPLIANCE
The Organizing Entity is not responsible for technical problems, connection errors, or other situations that may prevent the correct submission of photographs.
Participants guarantee that their photographs do not infringe any intellectual property rights or image rights of third parties.
In case of any dispute or claim, participants agree to resolve it through the Organizing Entity according to the rules of the contest.

RULE 14 – CONTACT
For any questions or clarifications about the contest, participants can contact the Organizing Entity at:
info@natureandhumans.com